During the night a gentle shower of rain anointed the newly planted corn. A perfect .25" fell to ensure that every kernel of corn planted yesterday will have sufficient moisture to germinate. A gazillion weeds seeds in the soil will also quickly sprout. When corn grows enough it shades the ground and inhibits weed germination. Modern planters have narrow rows which speed the shading. My planter is antique, probably a 60 something model. Its rows are wide, either 36" or 38", so shading takes longer.
Why did older planters have such wide rows? Modern research has demonstrated the maximum rate at which seed corn can be planted effectively. Corn does not like to be crowded. That is why it is never found growing in the wild. So why wide rows? 38" row spacing was wide enough for a horse to pass as it pulled a cultivator. So, why did it take decades for corn planter manufacturers to narrow the rows? Ask a farmer. My guess: inertia.
There's an old joke about not leaving your car unlocked in small towns during the summer lest you find it full of zucchini when you return to it. Last night my truck was parked on main street and when I returned there were two pint jars of rhubarb jam in it. 😋
Takk for alt
Al
The late, great Trygve.
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